During the last two decades, a disturbing number of scandals in which forensic analysts have violated ethical guidelines have emerged to sully the discipline’s reputation. These scandals have resulted in egregious miscarriages of justice, and include, but are not limited to:
loss or pilfering of evidence (for example, drug samples),
padding evidence to obtain harsher penalties for defendants,
falsifying scientific results,
etc.
In most cases, the actions of dishonest forensic technicians/analysts persisted for years before discovery. You are required to research one such scandal where the analyst/technician intentionally participated in unethical practices which resulted in severe miscarriage(s) of justice. The scandal you choose may be discipline-specific and must have occurred within the past twenty years. The paper must include the following information:
A description of the event(s) that occurred,
Where the event(s) occurred (i.e., in which state),
Admissibility rules within the state (for example, Frye)
Why evidence should/should not have been admitted during trial
Justification based on tenets within the discipline and admissibility rules
Were convictions overturned or not?
Additional information pertinent to event(s) discussed within the paper may be included at your discretion.
Paper Requirements
15 — 20 page paper, double spaced, 12 point font and page numbers.
Include references using ACS formatting
If websites are used, find a source from the website that can be verified.
Images may be included, but should be appropriately cited.
Please keep the following in mind:
If you need help with writing, you may visit the University Writing Center
The document must be submitted as a portable document format (.pdf) file. Webcourses will not accept your submission if it is not .pdf.
You will be allowed to submit your document once. Ensure that you are submitting the correct version, as you will not be allowed to resubmit. No exceptions.
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Please see the syllabus for additional information
Please review UCF’s policy on plagiarism
